Combined mop and wringer



Nov. 19, 1957 s, V U H 2,813,287

COMBINED MQP AND WRINGER Original Filed April 16, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENT OR SIDNEY P. VAUGHN ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1957 s. P. VAUGHN COMBINEDMOP AND WRINGER Original Filed April 16, 1949 2 SheetsSheet 2 3 mm FINVENTOR SIDNEY P VAUGHN BY F56 I ATTORNEY 2,313,287 Patented Nov. 19,1957 COMBINED MOP AND WRINGER Sidney P. Vaughn, San Diego, Calif.

Original application April 16, 1949, Serial No. 87,976,

now Patent No. 2,708,282, dated May 17, 1955. Digildsegzzind thisapplication March 14, 1951, Serial No.

3 Claims. (Cl. 15-119) My invention relates to a sponge mop, moreparticularly to an improvement over the structures disclosed in myformer patents, Nos. 2,153,601 and 2,165,319, issued April 11, 1939, andJuly 11, 1939, respectively, and is a divisional application of myapplication Serial No. 87,976, filed April 16, 1949, now Patent No.2,708,282, in which a grid type of wringer attachment is provided tosqueeze the water out of the sponge element, and the objects of myinvention are:

An important object of the invention is to provide means whereby thepresser element may be arranged above the mop head and then shifted to aposition beneath the mop head to press or squeeze the cleaning elementwithout liability of tearing or injuring the cleaning element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pivotal knee jointbetween the presser element and sWinging link which knee joint willbreak forwardly in opposition to the spring which tends to hold the sameclosed, so that the swinging link and presser element swing forwardly asa unit throughout a portion of the forward movement of the presserelement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connection between theswinging link and presser element, which connection is of simplifiedconnection and is out of the way in use.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of my mop, showing the wringerthereof in stationary position adjacent the handle of the mop when notin use; Fig. 2 is an end view of the mop in wringing position, showingthe handle thereof fragmentarily, and illustrating said mop from one endof the cleaning element; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational viewof my mop; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken fromthe line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view,taken on the same plane as Fig. 4, showing one of the two stiffeningrods embedded in the material of the cleaning element; Fig. 6 is asimilar view to Fig. 5, showing a modified means of connecting thestiffening rods with the cleaning element; and Fig. 7 is a transversefragmentary sectional view through the plane of the handle.

. Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portionsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

The sponge cleaning element 1, cleaning element backing 2, stiffeningrods 3, mop head 4, hooks 5, mop head latch 6, latch hook 6a, latch clip7, wringer 8, wringer hinge link 9, wringer handle 10, torsion spring11, wringer securing clip 12, and the mop handle 13, constitute theprincipal parts and portions of my mop.

The cleaning element 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings, ispreferably a block of cellulose sponge or other suitable spongematerial, provided with a fabric or other flexible backing element 2,secured to the upper surface thereof. As shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings, below the plane of the flexible backing 2, the cleaningelement 1 is provided with longitudinal grooves 1a in which thestiffening rods 3 are embedded. These stiffening rods 3 are, preferablymade of rust proof steel wire, or may be made of any other suitablematerial, as desired, having a substantially rigid character.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the sponge cleaning element 1is provided with longitudinal grooves 1a, filled with cement 1b,substantially surrounding the stiffening rods 3, over which the flexiblebacking element 2 is adhered, it being noted that the stifiening rods 3are substantially below the plane of the adhesive connecting thecleaning element flexible backing 2 to the cleaning element 1.

The primary function of the grooves in the sponge cleaning element is tofacilitate the assembly of the stiffening rods 3 and the flexiblebacking to the sponge cleaning element. First, parallel grooves or slots1:: are sawed near the front and rear edges of the sponge cleaningelement. Second, a self-curing rubber cement is placed in the grooves,after which the stiffening rods 3 are embedded in the cement. Third, aself-curing rubber cement is spread evenly over a sheet of fabric, orother suitable flexible material, and the sponge cleaning element isapplied to its backing with the stiffening rods adjacent to the backing.After the cement has set, the backing is trimmed flush with the block ofsponge. This method of assembly speeds up production over previousmethods used, such as illus trated and described in my Patents Nos.2,298,320 and 2,358,673.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, a flexible rubber backing member 2a isillustrated, which is adhered to the cleaning element 1 by means ofrubber cement 2b, which also surrounds the stitfening rods 3 in therecess 1a, as disclosed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. In the constructionas shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the rubber sheet 2a may beeliminated by using a thick coating of self-curing rubber compound,Which will bond also the stiffening rods 3 in the grooves 1a of thecleaning element 1. This construction not only provides for efficientconnection of the cleaning element to the mop head, but also providesfor the extended life of the cleaning element at its connection with themop head.

The upper side of the sponge cleaning element 1 and the backing element2 are provided with opening 10- and M, as shown in Fig. 4, through whichthe hooks 5 and the mop head latch hook 6a, respectively, extend intoengagement with the stiffening rods 3. It will be noted that the opening1d is substantially elongated, to permit the arcuate travel of the hookportion 6a of the mop head latch 6,

which pivots about the axis of the pin 4a, extending longitudinallythrough the mop head 4, all as shown best in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The pins 4a and 4b of the mop head 4 provide for reinforcing of the mophead 4, which is preferably made of a plate of sheet metal. These pins4a and 4b also act as hinge pins for the mop head latch 6 and thewringer hinge link 9, respectively. The mop head 4 is substantiallycoextensive with the upper surface of the cleaning element 1, andsecured substantially at the middle thereof is the handle socket 40,which is provided with clamping flanges 4d, through which the clamp bolt4:: extends, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7 of the drawings. Integral withthe portions 4d are the latch clips 7, having notch portions 76;therein, adapted to receive the horizontal bar portion 6b of the mophead latch 6, all as shown best in Figs. 3 and 7 of the drawings.

The mop head latch 6 is provided with a pair of spaced I hinge eyes 60,which are entwined about the pin 4a, adjacent to the hook portions 6a,which engage one of the stiffening rods 3 embedded in the cleaningelement 1. The intermediate bar portion 6b of the mop head latch 6,which is integral with the hinge eyes 6c, is resilient and laterallydeflectable into engagement with the notch; portions 7a of ii the latchclips 7, which are integral with the flanges 4d of the handle socket 40,as hereinbefore described.

The hinge link 9, which connects the wringer 8 with the mop head 4, asshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, is substantially- L-shaped in cross-section,and. is provided with hinge eyes da and 9b, which are pivoted about theaxis of the lower bar 8a of the wringer 8, and the axis of the pin 4b ofthe mop head 4, respectively. Surrounding the lower bar 3a intermediatethe hinge eyes 9a of the wringer hinge link 9 a torsion spring 11 isprovided. The torsion spring has its opposite ends 11a and lllb bearingagainst the wringer 8 and the wringer hinge 9, respectively, all asshown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The grid wringer 8 issubstantially rectangular, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and isprovided with a plurality of individual grille bars 8b, which extendparallel to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning element 1, and whichare attached intermediate their ends to the spaced arms 10a and 10b ofthe handle Ill, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It is to be noted that the action of the torsion spring 11 tends tomaintain the stop 9c in contact with the back of the wringer 8 orpresser element. In cases where the hinge link is wide and has largepivotal bearing surfaces, the upper pivotal bearing surfaces 9a may beconstructed to provide sufficient friction to maintain the stop incontact with the wringer until the wringer reaches an operative positionas shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the friction of the bearing 9b shouldbe made less than the friction in the pivotal bearing 9a.

The ends of the handle arms Ida and Nib of the handle 10 are secured tothe lower bar 8a of the wringer 8 common to the axis of the hinge eyes9a of the wringer hinge member 9. Theupper bar 80 of the wringer frame 8or presser element engages the resilient clip 12, as shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, for holding the handle 10 in a position adjacent to themop handle 13 when not in use. It will be noted that the wringer hingelink 9 is provided with a stop 90, which engages the bars 812 at therear side thereof, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, thus preventingclockwise movement thereof about the hinge pin 8a beyond the alignedposition shown in Fig. 1; Intermediate the hinge eyes 9b which securethe hinge link to the mop head 4, a stop 9d, Figures 1 and 7, isprovided in the hinge link and a stop if is provided in the mop head 4to limit the anti-clockwise movement of the hinge link to that positionillustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, which places the wringer in properposition for squeezing the water out of the sponge cleaning element.Further anticlockwise movement of the handle 10 causes the wringer toturn around the opposite hinge pin formed by the lower bar 8a of thewringer 8. it will be noted that the torsion spring 11 keeps the wringer8 in contact with the stop 90 of the hinge link 9 until the properwringing position is reached, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, afterwhich the spring gives and permits continued anti-clockwise movement ofthe wring-er 8.

The operation of my mop is substantially as follows:

When the mop, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is used as a cleaningdevice, the cleaning element 1 is passed over the surface being cleanedin the conventional manner, and when it is desired to disconnect andreplace the cleaning element l, the latch bar 6b is vertically deflectedlaterally of its axis out of engagement with the notch portions 711 ofthe latch 7, and the latch member 6 is then pivoted in a clockwisedirection, disconnecting the hook portions 6a therefrom from the rearstiffening bar 3, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The spongecleaning element 1 may be then removed by downward movement of the rearedge of the cleaning element and retraction of the hooks from the holes10, as shown in- Fig. 4, which provides for disengagement of the clips 5from the front stiffening rod 3.

When it is desired to squeeze the water from the sponge cleaning element1, the wringer handle is moved forwardly and downward in ananti-clockwise movement. This movement disengages the wringer bar fromthe clip 12. The action of the torque spring 11 keeps the stop incontact with the back of the wringer 8 and causes rotation around thehinge pin 4b until the stop 9d of the hinge link 9 makes contact withthe stop 4] in the mop head between the hinge eyes 90. This is theproper wringing position and the degree of compression of the sponge isgoverned by the length of the hinge link. Further movement of the handlein an anti-clockwise direction causes the wringer to rotate around thehinge pin formed by the lower bar 8a of the grid wringer. This actionbrings the wringer into contact with the sponge cleaning element, asillustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, and squeezes the water out of the spongecleaning element. When the handle is returned to normal position theclip 12 engages the upper bar 8c of the wringer grid and holds thewringer in place until again ready for use. In this return movement thewringer turns first around the hinge pin formed by the hinge bar 8auntil contact is made with the stop 9c, after which the wringer turnsaround the hinge pin 4b. The movements described above are veryimportant to obtain a proper wringing action and to prevent tearing thesponge cleaning element from its backing. Thus, it will be noted thatthe hinge link stops and the torsion spring perform a very importantfunction.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, Without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mop comprising, a mop head, a handle secured to the mop head andarranged above the same, a resilient clip secured to the handle andspaced from the mop head, a cleaning sponge element arranged beneath themop head and secured to the mop head, a pivot element secured to the mophead near its forward edge, a swinging link mounted upon the pivotelement to be moved over the forward edge of the mop head, said mop headand swinging link having stop edges arranged to engage each other whenthe swinging link is swung downwardly over the forward edge of the mophead to limit further movement of the swinging link in that direction, astop carried bythe opposite end of the swinging link remote from thepivot element and extending outwardly beyond such opposite end andtoward the clip when such link is positioned above the mop head, apresser frame including side elements, one side element being pivotallymounted upon the said opposite end of said link adjacent to the innerend of said stop, the stop overlapping a portion of the presser framewhen the link and presser frame are in the position above the mop head,the presser frame having its opposite side element detachably held bythe resilient clip, a coil spring mounted upon the side element which ispivotally mounted upon said link and having one end engaging the linkand its opposite end engaging the presser frame, the coil spring servingto urge the presser frame into contact with said stop, a handle disposedrearwardly of the presser frame and mounted upon said side element whichis pivoted upon said link and adapted to swing the presser frame andlink forwardly as a unit until the presser frame assumes a positionforwardly of the edge of the mop head, the then lower end of the linkbeing then arranged near the lower face of the cleaning sponge element,the handle being then employed to overcome the action of the spring andswing the presser frame from the stop into contact with the lower faceof the cleaning sponge element to compress the same.

2. A mop comprising, a mop head provided at its forward end with a pairof spaced sleeves extending longitudinally thereof, a handle secured tothe mop head and' arranged above the same, a resilient clip secured tothe} handle and spaced from the mop head, a cleaning sponge elementarranged beneath the mop head and secured to the mop head, a pin heldwithin the spaced sleeves and extending between their inner ends, anL-shaped swinging link provided at one end with. a pair of first spacedeyes pivotally receiving said pin and arranged between said sleeves,said link being provided adjacent to said first eyes with a stop edgeand said mop head being provided between said sleeves with a stop edgearranged in the path of travel of the stop edge of the swinging link,said swinging link being adapted to be moved over the forward edge ofthe mop head and the stop edges engaging to limit the swinging movementof said link in that direction, a stop carried by the opposite end ofthe L-shaped swinging link remote from said pin and extending outwardlybeyond such opposite end and toward the clip when such link ispositioned above the mop head, a presser frame including side elements,second spaced eyes formed upon the said opposite end of the link andpivotally receiving one side element, the stop overlapping a portion ofthe presser frame when said link and presser frame are in the positionabove the mop head, the opposite side element of the presser frame beingdetachably held by the resilient clip, a coil spring mounted upon theside element pivoted within the second eyes and disposed between saidsecond eyes, said coil spring having one end engaging the link and itsopposite end engaging the presser frame, the coil spring serving to urgethe presser frame into contact with said stop, a handle to swing thepresser frame and link forwardly, the lower end of the link beingarranged near the lower face of the cleaning sponge element when thelink is swung to the lowered forward position, the handle being thenemployed to overcome the action of the spring and swing the presserframe from the stop into contact with the lower face of the cleaningsponge element to compress the same.

3. A mop comprising, a mop head, a handle element secured to the mophead and projecting above the same, a compressible absorbent elementmounted upon the lower face of the mop head, a swinging link, meanspivotally connecting the swinging link and mop head, the swinging linkbeing movable toward and away from the handle element, a presserelement, means pivotally connecting the presser element and the swinginglink at a point spaced from the first-named pivotal connecting means,stop means associated with the presser element and swinging link to holdthe presser element against turning movement in one direction towardsaid handle element and in relation to the swinging link, the stop meanspermitting the relative swinging movement of the presser element withrespect to the swinging link in a direction away from said handleelement, a spring bearing against the presser element and swinging linkand tending to move the presser element with respect to the swinginglink in a direction toward said handle element, an operating handleconnected with the presser element to move the same, and stop meansassociated with the mop head and swinging link and serving to positivelylimit the swinging movement of said link in a direction away from saidhandle element when said link has been moved away from said handleelement to a selected position at which its projects below said mophead, the arrangement being such that the presser element and swinginglink swing as a unit without relative movement between the presserelement and swinging link and when the stop means associated with theswinging link and mop head limit the outward movement of the swinginglink, the operating handle will then overcome the force of said springand the presser element will be moved against the lower face of thecompressible absorbent element without substantial relative movementbetween the presser element and absorbent element in a plane parallelwith the mop head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,821,136 Solakowski Sept. 1, 1931 2,093,101 Sendler Sept. 14, 19372,153,601 Vaughn Apr. 11, 1939 2,165,319 Vaughn July 11, 1939 2,222,368Lux Nov. 19, 1940 2,390,753 Trindl Dec. 11, 1945 2,443,954 Givens June22, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 411,314 Great Britain June 7, 1934 611,571Germany Mar. 30, 1935

